News From The Groups – Page 39 – Hucknall and District U3A

Short Walks

by Lynda SmeathersShort Walks September 29, 2024Comments are Disabled

Our walk on 19^th September started from the car park in Newstead Village which is near the Annesley and Newstead Country Park.

We walked between the lakes in the park to eventually reach the point where the River Leen flows into the Newstead Abbey top lake. We paused by the Folly Fort which is midway down the lake.

Several intrepid walkers climbed the stone steps onto the ramparts to gain excellent views of the Abbey grounds and buildings.

The next stop was the café for a short drinks break before we returned by the minor road, pausing by the waterfall for a group photo on our way back to the car park.

17^th October Walk

We are starting from the public car park opposite the Ferry Boat in Stoke Bardolph.

The walk is along the River Trent to the weir and then onto Netherfield Lagoons.

It is an easy route with no stiles. Details will be sent out to group members.

Science Group

by Lynda SmeathersScience Group September 29, 2024Comments are Disabled

At the September meeting we started with a presentation about the very early days of coal mining with its hard physical labour and long working hours.

Bob Gow was on hand to explain about the difference mechanisation made to productivity and associated improvements in safety.

We then considered how coal and oil were formed and how both products were not only used as fuel but as the starting point for a range of fuel types and products e.g. plastics.

After the break we revisited the theme of ‘fast fashion waste.’

Discarded material and clothing can be recycled or reformed as something else.

Science member Sue Naylor recycles and remakes with discarded material, using it to make ‘drain bags’. She showed some examples of the ‘drain bags’ she makes for both Kings Mill and the City Hospital. The bags help with patient dignity as the actual drain bag they are attached to fits into Sue’s cloth bag. She would welcome any surplus material you may have – it must be washable and cotton/polycotton is ideal. Old duvet covers, curtains, sheets etc are ideal.

Sue amazingly has made 3500 since 2017 – and her husband David has ironed 3500 since 2017.

If you have any suitable material to spare please contact Sue and Dave at:

dave.naylor@talktalk.net

To end the meeting members selected a named scientist from a list of 41 scientists who have made valuable contributions to science and society. Their homework is to prepare a short presentation about what they achieved.

History Group

by Lynda SmeathersHistory Group September 29, 2024Comments are Disabled

It was so unfortunate that Robert Mee, the booked speaker for the group contracted Covid. It meant that the talk about History on the Erewash Valley trail didn’t happen. We had looked forward to seeing Robert again – however I have already asked him to come another time.

There was not enough time to ask anyone else. What did happen then I hear you ask? I guess like a lot of historians I have accrued a lot of history based books – so – I brought a pile and read out to the members snippets of interesting items. I will note a couple of them for you.

From ‘The Butcher, The Baker, the Candlestick Maker’ by Roger Hutchinson (it is about census returns) comes details of Charlotte Bronte who lived at Parsonage House, Haworth with her 74 year old father. In 1851 Charlotte had already been outed as the author of Jane Eyre and Shirley but in the return, she had no occupation listed. Judith Flanders wrote the book ‘The Victorian House’ and wrote of Beatrix Potter (writer of Peter Rabbit) who had gone on holiday to Torquay. Beatrix noted “I sniffed my bedroom on arrival and for a few hours felt a certain grim satisfaction when my forebodings were maintained. It is possible to have too much natural history in a bed”. She said she did not undress but had to lay on the bed and it was uncomfortable to sleep with Keatings (bug) powder in her hair. A few members borrowed books for home reading.

Our next meeting is a visit to Derby, meet on Ogle Street at 11am on 16th October. There is time for Lunch then meet at the museum at 1.30pm; we leave Derby at 4pm.

National Trust Group

by Lynda SmeathersNational Trust September 26, 2024Comments are Disabled

September saw the group take two coaches on our longest journey of the year to Erddig close to Wrexham in Wales.

We arrived thankfully with the weather dry if cloudy and with rain forecast for later in the day, members sensibly chose to complete their tour of the gardens and parkland first. The gardens were very extensive with a very large number of apple trees, a rose garden, a Victorian garden and much more to see. The Parkland covering over 1,200 acres with two rivers passing through alongside over thirty ponds and beautifully laid out footpaths and water features. A truly beautiful landscape.

Erddig House itself was vast and after being bought by the National Trust in the 1970’s has been restored to a high standard. From the servants’ quarters below stairs to the dining rooms, bedrooms, lounges and so on the whole building was indeed very impressive.

After visiting the House there was still time for a visit to the restaurant, the Welsh food shop or second-hand bookshop before returning to the coaches for a prompt return journey to Hucknall. The rain became heavy as we travelled home after a lovely day.

October sees the group travelling up to Yorkshire to visit Nunnington Hall near York.

The final visit of the year takes us to York on Tuesday 3rd of December.